Special Olympics Athletes Dazzle Crowds at FIBA ​​Open 2024

Photo of Christopher Andres at the FIBA ​​Open 2024

After two days of intense competition Special Olympics in Lithuania They won the title after beating Italy by just two points in a thrilling final on the center court of FIBA’s Patrick Bowman Arena. BasketballHere, in this central hub of world basketball, fans know exciting basketball when they see it, and this final was an exciting basketball game! A fitting end to a week of fast, fierce, but friendly competition.

“I feel much better when I play 3×3 basketball”

Among the 80 Special Olympics athletes and coaches who attended the Special Olympics International Basketball Federation The open showcase for their talents was Swiss national Olivier Pacaud. Olivier, 24, from Montreux, has been playing basketball with the Special Olympics for over six years. With 3×3, he has already found his niche. “I like 5×5 basketball but I really prefer 3×3. I feel really good playing this format,” says Olivier. He is so passionate about 3×3 that he owns it – encouraged by Special Olympics Switzerland– He founded his own team for athletes with disabilities, called Atypique 3×3. Aside from the excellent opportunity to compete at the FIBA ​​Open, Olivier believes that Special Olympics involvement sends a vital message. “It’s important that athletes with disabilities are recognised as athletes, and I think the association with FIBA ​​helps achieve that recognition,” he says. Advocacy and visibility are certainly areas where Olivier knows a thing or two – he was a member of the Special Olympics Switzerland Athletes’ Commission for four years, providing valuable input on the direction of Special Olympics across the country.

Photograph of Christopher Andres at the 2024 FIBA ​​Open

“He’s grown a lot as an athlete and a person.”

While the trip to Mies was short for Olivier, 22-year-old Lachizar “Lachi” Stoyanov had a somewhat longer flight from his home in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. According to Laci and his coach Tina Dzhimitrova, the Special Olympics championships are always worth the trip. “Special Olympics gave him a lot of opportunities to meet different people and travel to different countries, it opened his mind,” Tina says. Tina first met Blache seven years ago and has seen a huge change in him in the intervening years. She continues: “I am very proud of him. He was afraid before. In the past seven years, he has grown a lot as an athlete and a person, thanks to Special Olympics. I really don’t have enough words to express my feelings.”

Photo taken by Heike Acker at FIBA ​​Open 2024.

Marcel Bekuszewski, 14, from Heilbronn, Germany, has been competing with Special Olympics for just one year. Like Laci, he appreciates the global nature of the FIBA ​​Open. “This is my first international tournament. I enjoy the opportunity to compete against players from other countries.” Although Germany lost their last match to France, Marcel was upbeat and happy to take on any competition that comes his way next!

Photographed by Christopher Andres at the 2024 FIBA ​​Open

By far the longest journey to Meis was made by Special Olympics in China Tian Lin, a coach and lecturer at Xi’an University of Physical Education, saw the huge benefit that the competition brought to the athletes. “Sports – and experiences like this – can really change an athlete’s life. This is a valuable opportunity for our team,” he said. Tian saw how the athletes’ communication with each other transcended language barriers. “Although spoken language is a barrier, their body language is very friendly. They are constantly cheering each other on and taking photos with the opposing team after the match, no matter the score!”

Special Olympics’ participation in the 2024 FIBA ​​Open was supported by Toyota Motor Europe.

Special Olympics FIBA ​​Open 2024: June 16, Finals Day Results